Kansas Country Living Magazine
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Sunday Pork Roast with Vegetables
    • Recipes
    • Co-op Community
    • Energy Wise
    • Beef Tri-Tip Roast with Rosemary-Garlic Vegetables
    • Whole Wheat Chocolate Peppermint Drop Cookies
    • Savory Leek, Raisin and Ricotta Tart
    • Grape and Spinach Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Dressing
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
    Kansas Country Living Magazine
    Banner
    • Regular Stuff
      • Commentary
        • CEO Viewpoint
        • Editor’s Letter
      • Co-op Community Commitment
      • Energy Wise
      • Features
      • Cooking My Way Home
      • Your Place in the Garden
      • News Briefs
      • Safety
      • Web Exclusive
      • Current Issue
      • Archives
    • Recipes
      • View Recipes
      • Submit a Recipe
    • Around Kansas
      • View Around Kansas
      • Submit an Event
    • Share With Us
      • Submit a Photo
      • Submit an Event
      • Submit a Recipe
      • Submit a Story
    • My Co-op
    • About
      • About KCL
      • Staff
      • Contributors
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise
      • Contact
    Kansas Country Living Magazine
    Home » Articles » Consider Creating a Modern-Day Victorian Pincushion Garden
    Your Place in the Garden

    Consider Creating a Modern-Day Victorian Pincushion Garden

    Vicki EstesBy Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.March 9, 20203 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    In the 19th century Victorian gardens shifted from native and natural landscapes to the inclusion of more exotic species. This was in part due to the rise in the use of greenhouses, otherwise known as “glasshouses,” making it possible to overwinter non-native species. This prompted travelers to collect and return home with exotic plants to adorn their landscape.

    Victorian gardens during this time period featured clean planter beds, manicured with rounded borders. The repetitive use of plant species created designs that established continuity and a comforting feel. Symmetrical patterns in formal gardens known as the Parterre-style were common during this time. These planters often had borders formed by stones or hedges and pathways that separated one planter from another.

    Among the popular exotic plants incorporated into Victorian gardens were those with bold colors or interesting forms such as canna lilies, ornamental grasses, ferns, gladiolas and coleus. These plants were included to bring unique features and intrigue to the gardens while the repetitive planting patterns made the garden into a cohesive and overall soothing experience.

    Each section of a Victorian landscape was a metaphorical room in a house. Contrary to many American landscapes the lawns were not a feature in Victorian landscapes. Rather, in regards to the home metaphor, the lawn served as a rug creating a pathway from one garden, or room, to the next. Lawns doubled as the perfect place to host a garden party.

    This pincushion garden, featured at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, showcases tidy patterns of succulents in a mounded, circular planter.

    One “room” sometimes seen in a Victorian garden is a style known as a pincushion garden. This intricate design of plants is created within a circular planter several feet in diameter. Just a few plant species are used within each pincushion garden and are positioned in such a way to create a manicured pattern resembling pins stuck in a pincushion. Succulents and cacti are common choices for pincushion gardens. Due to their slow, compact growth, the maintenance required is minimal. The lines of the pattern will remain throughout the growing season even as the plants grow.

    A modern-day pincushion garden can incorporate your own sense of style. Though succulents may have once been the plant of choice for this garden-type, there are a number of other options that could result in a similar experience. Consider the growth habit, color and form as you choose your pincushion garden plants. Plants that spread rapidly will increase the amount of labor you will have to do to keep the garden contained to the defined space. Instead, choose plants that remain compact such as: dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus “Nanus”), dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) and varieties of ferns. In keeping with the gardens of the 19th century, you may also choose plants with bold colors such as: variegated liriope (Liriope muscari “Variegata”), cockscomb (Celosia spp.) and Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum).

    The planting options are endless and as you create planting designs and patterns, the resulting pincushion garden translates into a living work of art and history lesson. The pincushion garden style is a great addition for the gardener who appreciates attention to detail in an overall low-maintenance garden.

    headshot of Cynthia DomenghiniCynthia Domenghini is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.

    garden pincushion victorian
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleKansans Count: Safety and Census 2020
    Next Article Things Can Get Done in D.C.


    Post Frame Buildings
    Categories
    • CEO Viewpoint
    • Co-op Community Commitment
    • Commentary
    • Cooking My Way Home
    • Editor's Letter
    • Energy Wise
    • Featured Home
    • Features
    • News Briefs
    • President's Pen
    • Recipes
    • Safety
    • Uncategorized
    • Web Exclusive
    • Your Place in the Garden


    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    About

    Kansas Country Living

    Kansas Country Living is designed to educate Kansas electric cooperative consumer-members on topics that impact rural electrification.

    We're social, connect with us:

    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
    Popular Posts

    Staying Steps Ahead of Mother Nature

    March 28, 2023
    Solar Panels

    America’s Fuel Mix is Changing

    March 28, 2023
    An individual uses the buttons on a thermostat to turn down the temperature, saving energy in the home.

    Easy Behavior Changes to Save Energy

    March 28, 2023
    ©2022 Kansas Electric Cooperative, Inc.. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative
    • About
    • Privacy
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.